Looking for help in hiring a Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder? In this article, we’ve provided everything you need to write your job ad, prepare your Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder job interview questions and plan your interviewing process.
Want to streamline your job hiring/application process? We’ve created a simple-to-use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that can be used to manage your hiring process.
Contents
In this article, we’ve put together all the information you need to run an interview for a Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder in a Nursery/Reception in the UK. We’ve included a Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder job description, job requirements (useful for adding to job advertisements), common job interview questions to ask someone applying for your advertised Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder role, follow-up questions to ask your potential new hire and excellent answers that candidates give to Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder job interview questions. We’ll also look at what happens in an interview for a Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder and the hiring process after the interview.
Role Job Description:
The role of an Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder in a Nursery/Reception institution in the UK is crucial in providing a strong foundation for children’s education. As an EYT or QTS Holder, you will be responsible for leading the teaching in the classroom, delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, and overseeing the welfare and development of the pupils.
Your main duties will include planning and implementing a range of activities that promote learning and development, assessing and monitoring the progress of each child, and providing feedback to parents and carers. You will also be responsible for creating a safe and stimulating environment that encourages children’s curiosity and creativity.
In addition to teaching, you will be expected to work collaboratively with other staff members, including teaching assistants and support staff, to ensure the smooth running of the classroom and the institution as a whole. You may also be required to attend staff meetings, participate in professional development opportunities, and engage in ongoing self-reflection and improvement.
Role Job Requirements:
To be considered for the role of an EYT or QTS Holder in a Nursery/Reception institution in the UK, you must meet certain job requirements. These typically include:
1. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): You must hold QTS, which is the professional qualification required to teach in state schools in England and Wales. This can be obtained through completing a Bachelor’s degree in education or a relevant subject, followed by a postgraduate teaching qualification.
2. Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS): Alternatively, you may hold EYTS, which is a specialist qualification for those who wish to work specifically with children aged 0-5. This qualification is recognized as equivalent to QTS and is specifically tailored to the early years sector.
3. Knowledge of the EYFS Curriculum: You must have a thorough understanding of the EYFS curriculum and be able to effectively plan and deliver age-appropriate activities that meet the learning and development needs of young children.
4. Experience in Early Years Education: Previous experience working in an early years setting, such as a nursery or reception class, is highly desirable. This experience will demonstrate your ability to effectively engage and support young children in their learning and development.
5. Strong Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for this role. You must be able to effectively communicate with children, parents, and colleagues, and provide clear and constructive feedback.
Role Job Interview Questions:
During the interview process for an EYT or QTS Holder role in a Nursery/Reception institution in the UK, you can expect to be asked a range of questions to assess your suitability for the position. Some common interview questions for this role may include:
1. How would you plan and deliver activities that promote learning and development in line with the EYFS curriculum?
– Follow-up question: Can you provide an example of a specific activity you have planned and delivered in the past?
2. How do you assess and monitor the progress of each child in your class?
– Follow-up question: How do you ensure that your assessments are accurate and reliable?
3. How do you create a safe and stimulating environment that encourages children’s curiosity and creativity?
– Follow-up question: Can you provide an example of how you have fostered creativity in your classroom?
4. How do you effectively communicate with parents and carers to provide feedback on their child’s progress?
– Follow-up question: How do you handle difficult conversations with parents or carers?
5. How do you work collaboratively with other staff members to ensure the smooth running of the classroom and institution?
– Follow-up question: Can you provide an example of a time when you had to resolve a conflict or disagreement with a colleague?
Examples of excellent answers from candidates:
1. Question: How would you plan and deliver activities that promote learning and development in line with the EYFS curriculum?
Excellent Answer: “When planning activities, I always start by considering the individual needs and interests of the children in my class. I aim to provide a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities, ensuring that each activity is age-appropriate and aligned with the EYFS curriculum. For example, when teaching about shapes, I might set up a shape hunt in the outdoor area, where children can search for and identify different shapes in their environment. This activity not only promotes learning about shapes but also encourages physical activity and exploration.”
2. Question: How do you assess and monitor the progress of each child in your class?
Excellent Answer: “I believe in using a combination of formal and informal assessment methods to monitor children’s progress. This includes regular observations, work samples, and informal discussions with children. I also involve parents in the assessment process by sharing observations and discussing their child’s progress during parent-teacher meetings. By using a variety of assessment methods, I can gain a holistic understanding of each child’s development and tailor my teaching to their individual needs.”
3. Question: How do you create a safe and stimulating environment that encourages children’s curiosity and creativity?
Excellent Answer: “I believe that the physical environment plays a crucial role in fostering children’s curiosity and creativity. I ensure that the classroom is organized in a way that allows children to freely explore and access resources independently. I also provide a range of open-ended materials and resources that can be used in multiple ways, encouraging children to think creatively and problem-solve. For example, I might set up a loose parts play area where children can use various materials like cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, and natural objects to build and create their own structures.”
4. Question: How do you effectively communicate with parents and carers to provide feedback on their child’s progress?
Excellent Answer: “I believe in maintaining open and regular communication with parents and carers. I provide written reports at the end of each term, highlighting their child’s progress and areas for development. I also encourage parents to schedule regular meetings to discuss their child’s progress in more detail. Additionally, I use a communication app to share daily updates, photos, and observations with parents, allowing them to be actively involved in their child’s learning journey.”
5. Question: How do you work collaboratively with other staff members to ensure the smooth running of the classroom and institution?
Excellent Answer: “I believe in fostering a positive and collaborative working environment. I actively participate in team meetings, sharing ideas and resources with my colleagues. I am always willing to offer support and assistance to my colleagues when needed. I believe that effective communication and teamwork are essential for the smooth running of the classroom and institution, and I strive to maintain strong working relationships with all staff members.”
To conduct a comprehensive one-hour interview for a Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder role in a Nursery/Reception in the UK, consider the following schedule:
After the interview for your Early Years Teacher (EYT) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Holder role (UK), it is crucial to keep the candidate informed about the hiring process. Best practices include:
Click the button above to get our simple-to-use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that can be used to manage your hiring process.
| Location | UK |
|---|
